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Whether or not to buy a home containing asbestos is ultimately a decision for the homebuyer, and there are several things to consider. When in good condition and contained, asbestos is unlikely to present a health risk—it’s when those tiny fibers are loose and airborne that they become a problem. Consider any renovations you plan on doing to the home that could disturb existing asbestos and the cost of removal. If an inspection finds asbestos in a home on the market, you could negotiate with the seller for a lower price, though this isn’t a sure thing.

According to the National Cancer Institute, asbestos-related diseases can take anywhere from 10 to 40 years for symptoms to appear. The health risks increase with prolonged and heavier exposure. Risk factors also include:

• Amount of exposure

• Chemical makeup, size, and shape of the asbestos fibers

• Length of time a person is exposed to asbestos

• Genetic factors 

• Source of exposure (direct exposure or secondhand exposure from someone directly exposed)

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), you should contact the following officials to report a case of asbestos exposure:

• Asbestos subject matter experts in your state 

• EPA regional office

• Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) Assistance Information Service Hotline via mail, email, or phone

• EPA’s Asbestos Ombudsman via phone or fax 

If you own a stereo microscope, you should be able to see the fibers. The stereo microscope often can perform magnification up to 50x. But unless you have experience viewing asbestos fibers, you may not know exactly what you are seeing. Some fibers are curly, while others are long and straight. Blue, brown, white, and gray colored fibers are all possible.